Minneapolis Orthodontist Discusses Treatment Options for Patients With Overjet
ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Correcting a child’s overjet- commonly referred to as “buck teeth”- often is a priority among parents when it comes to orthodontic treatment.
As children get older, it can become a priority for them as well, due to issues of self-consciousness.
In addition stopping the ridicule that can come during those awkward adolescent years, there are legitimate health-related reasons for correcting overjet in early childhood, said Minneapolis orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth.
A recent study indicated that 75 percent of children with an overjet of 6 millimeters or more would have fractures of their front teeth by age 12 if the malocclusion went uncorrected, Eisenhuth said.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7 because many issues are more easily corrected when identified in their early stages, said the Minneapolis braces provider. Since the front teeth also begin to erupt about this time, Eisenhuth also can monitor young patients with overjet and determine the best time to take action to correct the problem.
Overjet can be caused by teeth that overlap or are crowded. Children who suck their fingers or thumbs can cause their top teeth to stick out. Patients who have small lower jaws or lower jaws that are too far back often have upper front teeth that look more prominent.
Correcting Overjet
When discussing methods in which overjet can be corrected, it is important to understand what exactly the term means.
“Lots of people who aren’t in the orthodontic field tend to use overjet and overbite as synonymous terms, but they aren’t,” said the Minneapolis orthodontics expert.
Overjet refers to the horizontal distance between the upper and lower front teeth, Eisenhuth said, while overbite refers to the vertical distance between lower and upper front teeth.
Correcting overjet in children can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the severity of the problem. The needs of each individual patient are taken into consideration when determining the best treatment path, Eisenhuth said.
If the overjet is caused by thumb sucking, the problem can be alleviated by stopping the harmful habit. If at-home methods don’t work, Eisenhuth can install an appliance in the child’s mouth that takes away the pleasant sensation they get from sucking their fingers or thumb.
When crowding is the culprit, braces can correct the crowding issues and guide the upper front teeth into proper position.
Some patients may benefit from growth plates or functional appliances that work to bring the lower jaw forward to close the space between the lower and upper teeth. These appliances can be fixed or removable, depending on the patient’s age, Eisenhuth said. It usually is a good idea to start this type of treatment about age 10 to 12, or before a child begins the growth spurt brought on by puberty, so the child’s facial and skeletal growth can help direct the jaw growth.
“There are some instances where I may recommend beginning treatment at a younger age,” Eisenhuth said. “For example, if a child’s overjet is so severe that the teeth risk being broken or damaged, if the child’s speech is affected, or if the child is being teased and ridiculed at school, we may opt to begin treatment earlier.”
For adults with overjet due to a recessive lower jaw, surgery often is the only answer.
Occasionally, Eisenhuth gets patients who are concerned about aesthetics in their orthodontic treatment. In some isolated cases, Invisalign can be used to correct overjet. However, this isn’t always a viable option, said Eisenhuth, a Minneapolis Invisalign preferred provider.
Most often, the best correction method is done via braces.
Learn More
If you would like more information about treatment for overjet or you would like to schedule a consultation with Minneapolis invisible braces provider Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, please call: (651) 406-8100 or visit her Web site: http://doctorjennifer.com/.
About Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth
Dr. Eisenhuth attended the University of Minnesota Dental School and graduated in the top of her class. She earned the Minnesota Association of Orthodontic Achievement Award and several academic achievement awards. She entered her orthodontic residency at the University of Minnesota and earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science degree.
Dr. Eisenhuth is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
She takes pride in caring for the orthodontic needs of residents in the Twin Cities- St. Paul and Minneapolis, and their surrounding regions, including St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Burnsville, Eagan and Eagan, Minnesota.
Her office is located at 3340 Sherman Court, Eagan, Minn., 55121.
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